Heathrow: More rail disruption as TfL Elizabeth line and Piccadilly line face delays

Passengers to Heathrow were facing delays on two rail services on Wednesday morning (November 29).

The issues follow major disruption on Monday which saw passengers reportedly missing flights.

This morning, Transport for London (TfL) was reporting severe delays on the Piccadilly line and minor delays on the Elizabeth line.

Great Western Railway services were also disrupted.

Disruption as at 8.30am:

Elizabeth line

Minor delays are reported by TfL between Paddington and Reading/Heathrow Terminals on the Elizabeth line while a track fault at Hayes & Harlington is fixed. There is a good service on the rest of the line.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day, according to National Rail, which also says a reduced service is in operation between Hayes & Harlington and Maidenhead. Reading services will additionally be calling at Iver in both directions.

Piccadilly line

Piccadilly line passengers faced severe delays due to an earlier fire alert at Russell Square. London Underground tickets are being accepted on Elizabeth line, Great Northern, London Overground, South Western Railway and Buses via any reasonable route.

Great Western Railway

Great Western Railway between Paddington and Didcot Parkway is impacted by the same track fault as the Elizabeth line, according to National Rail.

An inspection of the lines in the Hayes & Harlington area revealed a defect in a rail of a set of points used to transfer trains from one track to another.

As a result Great Western Railway will have to reduce the number of trains, meaning services between London Paddington and Newbury will only operate between Reading and Newbury, in both directions. Paddington passengers travelling to/from Newbury or Thatcham & Theale will need to change trains at Reading.

In addition, local train services which would normally operate between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway, and return, will only operate between Reading and Didcot Parkway. Customers will need to change trains at Reading. Didcot Parkway will continue to have Main Line services running to/from London Paddington.

Twyford, Maidenhead and Slough stations will see a considerable reduction in the frequency of train services and ticket holders should utilise Elizabeth Line services instead where no Great Western Railway services are available.

Central line

The Central line was facing minor delays due to train cancellations.